Sunday Dawg Chow: Browns news (4/28/24)

More of the latest Browns news and notes from around the web in today’s dose of the Sunday Dawg Chow.

Dawgs By Nature:

• The Deshaun Watson trade is finally, officially, complete (Thomas Moore) – The Cleveland Browns swung a deal in March 2022 to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. While the Browns still have three years to go on Watson’s current contract, the draft pick portion of the deal was finally paid in full on Friday night.
• Cleveland Browns – List of Undrafted Free Agents Reportedly Signed (Chris Pokorny) – The NFL Draft might be ending, but the fun hasn’t ended yet. The media, along with the players themselves, are about to start reporting on the undrafted free agents who teams are trying to sign. Listed below will be players who have been rumored to have been contacted and signed by the Cleveland Browns. Also, use this as an open thread to discuss any players we sign, or who you want signed, and be sure to check out all the latest draft-related odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.
• 2024 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns pick WR Jamari Thrash at No. 156 (Chris Pokorny) – With the 156th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected WR Jamari Thrash (6-0, 180 lbs) from Louisville. He is the Browns’ first Day 3 pick, having been selected in the fifth round.
• Browns NFL Draft Profile: WR Jamari Thrash (Matt Wilson) – The Cleveland Browns added depth and playmaking potential to its wide receiver room on Saturday via All-Conference pass-catcher Jamari Thrash. He burst onto the scene as one of the top “G5” receivers in 2022 while at Georgia State before transferring to Louisville last year.
• NFL draft: Browns WR depth chart after Jamari Thrash selection (Jared Mueller) – After three hours on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns were finally on the clock. Despite GM Andrew Berry’s history of trading picks during the draft, he stood pat for the third time by selecting WR Jamari Thrash from the Louisville Cardinals.
• Browns NFL draft: Everything you need to know about DT Michael Hall Jr. (Barry Shuck) – The choice of defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. at first glance may be a bit of a head-scratcher only because the DT room is so full right now. So who exactly is Michael Hall Jr.? And how does he fit into the plans for the Browns’ defense?
• AFC North NFL Draft Day 2: Division continues to get better, deeper (Jared Mueller) – Heading into Day 3, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers have done good work in the 2024 NFL Draft.
• 2024 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns pick LB Nathaniel Watson at No. 206 (Thomas Moore) – Mississippi State linebacker put up big tackling numbers in college, but he will need to make his mark on special teams if he wants to stick in Cleveland.
• NFL draft: Browns linebacker depth chart after Nathaniel Watson selection (Jared Mueller) – Cleveland’s LB group has seen a lot of changes this offseason including a new addition in the NFL Draft.
• Browns NFL Draft Profile: Nathaniel Watson (Matt Wilson) – The Cleveland Browns added much-needed depth in the 2024 NFL Draft at the linebacker position in Nathaniel Watson, and he has the potential to develop into a solid rotational or sub-package option within a year or two. His unique pass-rushing ability gives the team versatility at the second level of the defense, as well as a solid “headhunter” on special teams.
• 2024 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns pick CB Myles Harden at No. 227 (Chris Pokorny) – With the 227th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected CB Myles Harden (6-0, 201 lbs) from South Dakota. He is the Browns’ third Day 3 pick, having been selected in the seventh round.
• NFL draft: Myles Harden added to this Browns cornerback depth chart (Jared Mueller) – In the final round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns made what now looks like an obvious pick. First, GM Andrew Berry drafting a cornerback is close to certain. Second, a defender named “Myles” worked out at least once before for the team. CB Myles Harden is a feisty slot corner who should also see time on special teams.
• 2024 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns pick DT Jowon Briggs at No. 243 (Thomas Moore) – The Cleveland Browns – to the surprise of many – made their second seventh-round selection by picking defensive tackle Jowon Briggs from Cincinnati.
• NFL draft: Browns DT depth chart after Michael Hall Jr., Javon Biggs selections (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns gave defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz some new pieces to work with in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Cleveland Browns:

• Michael Hall Jr. motivated to provide for, be great role model for son (Browns Zone) – Several key draft-eligible Ohio State Buckeyes made the decision to return to Columbus to pursue a national championship, as well as a win over the Michigan Wolverines, but standout defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. decided on a different path. Rather than return to college, Hall felt it was more important to enter the NFL Draft to take care of his family, which grew by one with the birth of his son, Michael “Trey” Hall, in September.
• ‘Everything comes full circle’: Zak Zinter, Mike Hall Jr. brought back together by Browns (Beacon Journal) – Zak Zinter was going to be connected to Mike Hall Jr. before they became the Cleveland Browns’ first two picks in the 2024 NFL draft. It’s just that this connection should be a much happier moment for the University of Michigan offensive guard.
• As Browns draft Michael Hall Jr., you can see the influence of Jim Schwartz (Terry Pluto) – At first, it’s easy to ask, “Why a defensive tackle?” The Cleveland Browns are looking at this draft as help for this season, but also developing players for the next few years. Factor in Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who craves defensive linemen – ends and tackles.
• 5 things to know about G Zak Zinter (clevelandbrowns.com) – The Browns drafted guard Zak Zinter with the 85th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Here are five things to know about the newest addition to the offensive line.

NFL:

• Cowboys closer to Ezekiel Elliott reunion amid RB shortage (ESPN) – The Dallas Cowboys have yet to fill their running back need, but the return of Ezekiel Elliott looks more and more likely.
• The Saints make a splash on Day 3 of the NFL draft by taking QB out of the SEC (nola.com) – The New Orleans Saints had to wait quite a bit to pick on the final day of this year’s NFL Draft, but when they were finally on the clock Saturday, they made a splash. The Saints selected quarterback Spencer Rattler with the 150th overall pick.
• Bears select Iowa punter Tory Taylor in Round 4 of 2024 NFL Draft (NFL.com) – The Chicago Bears used their first three picks of the 2024 NFL Draft to bolster the offense. Ryan Poles utilized the club’s fourth selection to upgrade the special teams. The Bears selected Iowa punter Tory Taylor with the No. 122 overall pick in the fourth round on Saturday.